It looks like the Eastern divisions will be heavily represented in the playoffs this season. Despite the Commanders losing yesterday and slipping to 4-5, they're still tied for the last wildcard slot while the Eagles, Giants, and Cowboys seem likely to reach the playoffs. The picture is pretty much the same in the AFC East. The Bills, Jets, and Dolphins seem pretty safe bets, while the Patriots are tied for the last slot over there.
The new power rankings will be interesting to see. Have the Eagles crept to the head of the pack? The Eagles are the sole undefeated team left. Only one team, the Vikings, have just one loss now. And that loss was to the Eagles. The Vikings had been around seven in the rankings while the Eagles were second. Both could now advance.
The Vikings are running away with the NFC North. They've got a four-game lead at this point. The Packers have three testing games coming up, playing the Cowboys, Titans, and Eagles. They could very well be 3-9 after those games. Do they bench Aaron Rodgers at some point and play the kid? Get him five starts (or so) this year so he'll be more prepared next year? Does Rodgers step aside gracefully? Green Bay's QB situation will be interesting to watch going forward.
The Rams and Cards are in a free fall right now and need to go on one heck of a winning streak to have any playoff hopes. It's a big problem for the Rams as they don't have the draft picks to rebuild with. The Texans have a death grip on that first-overall pick in the 2023 draft and don't seem likely to let it go. Geno Smith is amazing the league, and the Seahawks who kept touting how great Drew Lock was while largely ignoring Geno in the preseason. They've now won four in a row and are only challenged by the Niners who are still two games back. You could have made big money betting Geno Smith and Jimmy G would be the top two NFC West QBs this year. Most fans didn't even know Geno was still in the league and Jimmy G was clearly on the way out in SF.
Geno, Jimmy G, and Daniel Jones will have an interesting winter. All will be free agents and have lots of suitors given how they've played this year. Geno and Jones could both get tagged to keep them locked up, but Jimmy G can't be tagged thanks to his deal. The exclusive tag for QBs should be around $46 million. The other tag price where they could still lose the guys would be the transition tag of $29 million where their teams would have the option to match or beat any other offer. Do any of those teams want to pay those guys at least $29 million a year? To get them to sign a three or four-year deal would likely require at least $30-$40 million a year. Maybe more. Do you let them walk?
Those three guys were largely on their way out of the league before the season and now could be the hottest off-season targets in free agency. It's a strange world sometimes. Lamar Jackson will almost certainly get tagged this year, but then his price will rise even more next year. The Ravens will need to figure out what to do there.
Lots of teams (Texans, Steelers, Raiders, Broncos, Packers, Bears, Lions, Panthers, Rams, and Cards) are already into "onto next year" mode or are on the cusp of being there. Their GMs need to be looking at other teams' practice squads or elevating guys from their own squad to replace the guys they're willing to lose in the off-season. Bring them in and see what they can do. Finding a new starter or two now gives them a leg up on next season.
No one's officially eliminated from the playoffs yet, but realistically, a lot of teams are out and know it. If you know you're out, it's time to start preparing for next year. Some roster shuffling, coach shuffling, and lots of scouting on potential free agents and draftable kids need to take place. Raid practice squads, bring in street free agents for a look. Play more of your own kids to get them experience. GMs don't want to be in this spot, but the moves they make now can have them better next year.
Fly!!! Eagles!!! Fly!!!
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